Sarah Rowell Watson, 84, of Columbia, went to be with Jesus surrounded by her loving family at home on Saturday, February 17, 2024. She was born to the late William and Sarah Ruth Rowell on February 8, 1940 in Columbia, SC.

Sarah was a dedicated member of Crestview Baptist Church. She was a graduate of Columbia High School and the Columbia Business School. Throughout her life she served her church and community as a Sunday School Teacher, Church Secretary/Treasurer, Choir Member, GA Leader, and Girl Scout Leader. She enjoyed many activities such as working in her yard, canning, baking, making candy, antiquing, and camping with her family. She was a happy and honest person who will be remembered for her witty sense of humor. She had many fond memories of working on her family's farm in her youth and carried those lessons of hard work and dedication with her throughout her life. She loved to keep up with family history and was always working on the family tree. She was an awesome marble player in her childhood. Above all, she was a good Christian woman who loved God and loved to serve others. She loved her children and grandchildren dearly and will be deeply missed by all her family and friends.

Sarah is survived by her loving husband, The Honorable Maxey G. Watson; son, Maxey G. Watson, Jr. (Rebecca); daughters, Susan A. Watson and Gayle Watson; grandchildren, Victoria Watson, Courtney Watson, and Olivia Watson; brother James Rowell (Jane); sister, Wilma Morris (Don); many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Watson; brothers, Fred Rowell, Jr. and Maxie Van Rowell (Bea); and sister, Dionne Sauls (Thurman).

Visitation for Sarah Watson will be held Thursday, February 22 from 6 until 8 o'clock PM at Shives Funeral Home, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext. Columbia, SC. The funeral service will be held Friday, February 23 at 1 o'clock PM at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel. Following the service, she will be laid to rest at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC.

The family requests memorials be made to International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, 303 East Wacker Dr. Suite 2300, Chicago, IL, 60601; American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116; or American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown MD 21741, in Sarah's honor.